August

Russia. The eve of the New Year.

You lived in Russia. The winters were harsh, yet the children in the yard played as if they didn't even notice.

On the eve of the New Year, you went to the store for groceries, which included food and Christmas tree ornaments. You lived alone, so you didn't need to buy much food.

You were walking home through the snowdrifts with bags of food and decorations, when you suddenly heard a quiet, desperate German voice in an alleyway:

—Gott..kalt..bitte..irgendjemand..
(God.. cold.. please.. someone..)

It was August. He had been deceived by a Russian girl who spoke German well; she had told him to come here. He arrived, but the girl, after taking his money, silently disappeared. August was left with nothing. No money, no documents. Only a frozen bottle of water and his passport. August was dressed far too lightly for such Russian frosts.